2013 Volkswagen Touran 1.6L Diesel · LC63 SXT

The defining mechanical story of this 2013 Volkswagen Touran centres on a single but significant rear suspension failure in late 2024, which interrupted an otherwise unremarkable MOT history. The vehicle passed an MOT on 2025-12-02 with no advisories of mechanical concern beyond a slightly perished nearside rear tyre and the standard note that a child seat was obstructing full inspection of an adult belt. The previous test on 2024-12-09 was a clean pass with no advisories at all, but just six days earlier, on 2024-12-03, the vehicle failed with two major defects at the nearside rear: a shock absorber with a serious fluid leak and a fractured coil spring. Both items were presumably rectified before the retest six days later, and the car has since returned a clean pass. The pattern indicates a one-off component failure rather than systemic neglect, but a buyer should be mindful that rear shock absorbers and coil springs on a Touran of this age are wear items, and the rapid succession of the failure and the clean retest warrants confirmation that the repair was carried out to a professional standard. The recorded mileage of 88,081 miles across approximately thirteen years equates to an average of around 6,775 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a family vehicle of this vintage and suggests consistent rather than sporadic use. There are no extended gaps in the MOT testing history that would point to long periods off the road, and the annual accumulation appears steady. This kind of regular usage is generally favourable for mechanical components, as it prevents the deterioration often associated with standing vehicles, though it does mean that consumable items such as brakes, tyres, bushes and exhaust components will have seen normal in-service wear over the mileage covered. The mileage recorded at test is consistent across the documented history, with no sudden jumps that might indicate clock irregularities or missed tests. Given the recorded shock absorber fluid leak and fractured coil spring at the rear, a prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the rear suspension during a test drive. Listen for any clonking or knocking noises from the rear when traversing speed bumps or uneven surfaces, and observe whether the vehicle settles level at the rear when stationary or if one corner sits noticeably lower than the other, which could indicate a further weakened spring. The nearside rear shock absorber in particular should be inspected for any fresh signs of dampness or fluid residue around the shaft, and the ride quality should feel controlled without excessive bouncing after a compression over a bump. Confirm the date and nature of the repair work carried out between the December 2024 failure and retest, as the quality of the replacement components will determine the longevity of the current setup. Brake-related advisories have been limited to a single note in December 2021 regarding thin front brake pads, with no brake defects recorded since, suggesting the friction material was renewed at that point and has not yet reached a service limit in the intervening four years. Nevertheless, given the vehicle's age and mileage, a test drive should include firm pedal application from speed to check for any pulling to one side, vibration through the steering wheel, or a spongy pedal feel, all of which could indicate worn discs, seized caliper slides or air in the system. The nearside rear tyre flagged for slight damage and perishing in the most recent test should be replaced before the next MOT, and the remaining tyres inspected for even wear patterns, as uneven wear can point to suspension geometry issues, tracking misalignment or worn bushes. Finally, although no corrosion advisories have been recorded, a Touran of this age and mileage is known to suffer from underfloor and subframe surface corrosion, so a physical inspection underneath the vehicle on a ramp is strongly recommended to confirm structural integrity before purchase.